Here's an interesting thread from letsgowings.com

[Roll Tide]

http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=35957

This thread gives some interesting ideas on how the NHL playoff format could be changed.

I would like to see more emphasis put on the regular season. It would be nice to decrease the number of teams in the playoffs, but we all know this won't happen because of decreased revenues.

Are you happy with the way the NHL playoffs are set up? If we lived in a fantasy world where money isn't an issue, what would you change about the format? Would you change it at all?

 

[Marns]

I can't say I have a problem with the playoffs as they're set up at the moment. Unlike some of the people on there, I've got no problem with the fact that there has been a cinderella team the last three seasons - gotta love the underdog. The fact that they're doing well shows that they should be in there. If the higher seeded teams can't get it done in the playoffs, then perhaps there's a problem with their team, as opposed to the setup of the playoffs.
I like the fact that East plays East and West plays West until the SCF, I think its something uniquely American, because don't all 4 big American sports have the setup where Conferences play against each other only at the final round?

Also, just in regards to the number of teams in the playoffs. I like it how it takes around 2 months to win the Stanley Cup. It is a real endurance test, something that adds to it's value, that you have to work your arse off for months to get a shot at it. Lowering the number of teams would shorten the time the playoffs take, would it not? Depends how many teams there are, I suppose.

 

[-VC-]

I wonder if they're discussing this on forums where their team DIDN'T get rolled in the first round by an 8th seed.
But like a few of the guys are saying on that board, it's all about revenue so the playoffs won't downsize, so to speak.
I do like the idea that Shanahan suggested though, with a mini playoff for the 7-10 spots. That way there's a race to finish in the 10, a race to avoid the 7-10 group by finishing 6th or higher and a race to finish top 2 so you play a tired opponent.

 

[Roll Tide]

I wonder if they're discussing this on forums where their team DIDN'T get rolled in the first round by an 8th seed.

Good point.

 

[R UNIT]

I think keep it as it is. Out of all the four main professional american sports (NHL, NBA, NFL and MLB) I think that the NHL always seems to have the most exciting playoff series (apart from the NBA playoffs this year which were a cracker). Theres always something about them really gets emotions going, wheather it be a 1 vs 8 seed series or the Stanley Cup. So stay with it.

 

[Drummond]

Gotta love LGW!

Best Hockey site there is...

 

[Power21]

Gotta love LGW!

Best Hockey site there is...

In regards to the Playoffs, they are fine. As has been said if a top seeded team, ala the wings, can't get it done first up then they don't deserve to be there anyway, plus a best of 7 means you get atleast 4 games, and 4 chances for a win.